English

A Correlation Inequality on Three Functions

Combinatorics 2025-02-24 v2

Abstract

Let XX and YY be upward closed set systems in the lattice of {0,1}n\{0,1\}^n. The celebrated Harris-Kleitman inequality implies that if X=α2n|X|=\alpha 2^n, Y=β2n|Y|=\beta 2^n, the density of the set of points in exactly one of XX and YY is maximal when XX and YY are independent, meaning XY=αβ2n|X\cap Y|=\alpha\beta 2^n. Is the same true of three upward closed systems, XX, YY, and ZZ? Suppose X=Y=Z|X|=|Y|=|Z|. Kahn asked whether the set of points in exactly one of XX, YY, ZZ has density at most 49\frac49. We answer this question in the negative.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2502.14857,
  title  = {A Correlation Inequality on Three Functions},
  author = {Kada Williams},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2502.14857},
  year   = {2025}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-28T21:51:49.890Z